LinkUp the retired members magazine

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     

Dec/Jan 2001/2002

Welcome to the online edition of LinkUp

We apologize for the absence of the past few on-line editions of Link-Up. This was due to un-foreseen problems beyond our control.

In this edition of Link-Up, we have a varied compellation of stories and news from informative journalism from Ted Moore attending the Eastern Region Retired Members Committee, stories of success and sadness to the downright creepy.

Another year draws to a close and in my case it seems to have passed very quickly. Perhaps that is due to the fact that quite a lot has happened in my family during 2001.

I have dotted about to various parts of the country, attending meetings on behalf of Retired Members, but locally Retired Member issues seem  to have  dried up. There have been no meetings of The  Pensioner’s Panel  this year.   Those arranged have been cancelled for various reasons, the General Election and Local Elections, among them.   Enquiries as to when a meeting will be held have been met with indecision.

However the NPC and UNISON continue to work steadily for the improvement of pensioner’s lifestyles.

The Town Talks have been of great interest over the year. Now held bi-monthly, they attract a vast audience each time, made up not only of the younger element from the business quarters of the town centre, but a large representation of Senior Citizens, who obviously find the lunch hour slot a very convenient time.

I would still like to hear from any of you who may  have a light-hearted article to contribute  to the Newsletter. I often think it contains too many “business items” and nothing under the heading of “relaxe3d reading”. Travel, holidays, poems, limericks, old wife’s tales, anything would be welcome. However, I am most grateful to those of you who have sent me articles from time to time. I hope you enjoy the most recent which is in this Newsletter.

In the meantime have a enjoyable Christmas and New Year and my Best Wishes to you all for both seasonable events.

                                                                                                Ted Moore

 

MINUTES OF EASTERN REGION RETIRED MEMBERS COMMITTEE

WEDNESDAY, 7th NOVEMBER, 2001 @ UNISON H.Q. LONDON

Before the meeting began, the Chairperson announced that a Committee Member, Jean Read, had died suddenly, shortly after returning from her holiday. He spoke of Jean as a hard worker, who put others before herself. She had a long association with trade unions, going back to NALGO days and her work as Regional Welfare Secretary. The Committee observed a period of silence in her memory.

Following the death of Jean Read, there was no Welfare Report. Bert Dawson was elected to replace her as the Committee’s reciprocal representative to report on Welfare matters. 

Arising from the minutes of the previous meeting in August, John Walker had written to UNISON, his M.P and the Dept for Work and Pensions, regarding Tax Allowances for Widowers, and means testing State Pensioners in receipt of Occupational Pensions, raised in a newspaper article.  

Whilst he had not received replies from the first two, the third source of enquiry had replied through their Ministerial  Correspondence Unit. In essence it suggests that certain newspaper articles are often written in pursuit of a particular editorial position and can be speculative, rather than based on direct research. There are no plans to make RP entitlement subject to a persons other income.

A Committee member suggested that the lack of response from the other sources should be brought to the attention of UNISON H.Q.

NATIONAL REPORT, August Meeting. The Preliminary Agenda of National Retired Members Conference was reviewed and various amendments and motions considered. Also discussed were the two motions to the National Delegate Conference, submitted by the Retired Members National Committee, which were carried. Other items discussed were the Future Structure of UNISON Retired Members Organisation.  

REGIONAL REPORT. The Secretary reported that an Annual Policy Weekend had been held, at which Budgeting and the Millennium Branch Awards had been discussed. He went on to state that the original computer web site had met with problems and so a demonstration was given for a new start which it is hoped will come on line before Christmas, with Les Fountain as the new lay Communications Leader.

The Committee Secretary, Bill Osborne, reported that £1,780 had already been spent out of his total budget of £2,000. He will attend a Budget meeting in December to bid for next years allocation for the R.M. Regional Committee and hope he can get more than last year.

The Secretary also reported on the Government’s proposals for Employment Tribunals, involving some 21 items, which they intend to amend.

Relating to the Regional Committee Budget, discussion took place on the expense of attending meetings in London, as compared with other venues. Agreed this matter be put on the agenda for the next meeting in January, 2002.  

SERTUC REPORT.  Telephone Line Rental Charges to Pensioners. In view of the fact that no support was indicated from any of the principal telephone companies, it was agreed to invite speakers from  B.T to the next meeting. This  issue concerns “Light Users” and discounts allowed.

National Pensioners Convention. The London office had been  closed due to exorbitant rent increase and alternative accommodation was being sought at a realistic rent. A Lottery bid had failed but the future was hopeful of increased financial help of trade unions and other bodies. Where organisation is concerned, the creation of Regions was being considered, although problems were emerging. Two areas in Scotland and two in Yorkshire do  not want to be merged. However, Regions should be functioning by 2003. A Pensioner Demonstration in London on Tuesday, 6th November was considered to have been highly successful.   

A campaign was being launched to reduce rail concessions from one third to one half.

Pensioners Credit. This is the Government’s alternative to raising the Basic Pension. Above inflation increases will be discontinued and a Pensioners Credit will be introduced in 2003. The Pension Credit is being presented as a gain  for pensioners, but there are reservations in that half of pensioners could be drawn into means testing; it could effect those claiming Housing Benefit and women with less than full Basic Pension; discriminate against couples where both have Basic Pensions in their own right and further complicate an already complex system.

Pension Funds and Cost of Living Increases. A letter from the Inland Revenue to the Pension Fund suggests there is nothing to stop them paying the maximum of 3%, the limit set out in 1997 by Inland Revenue. Public Sector schemes do not take advantage of a 3% limit.

NATIONAL PENSIONERS CONVENTION REPORT. Further to previous references under the SERTUC Report, mention was  made of the hard work done by Rodney Bickerstaff, since becoming President of the NPC. He had done much to improve funding and general organisation.

RETIRED MEMBERS CONFERENCE REPORT. Eric Ewing was thanked for his excellent report. Reference was made to Motion 16 Air Ambulance Service. Why was this funded  by local support and not Government controlled? The answer was that under the present arrangement it was more efficient and less restrictive. John Walker was also thanked for his review of the Workshop he attended UNISON Welfare, which was greatly appreciated, and  answered questions on points raised.

Chairperson, Bill Spalding, spoke on the  Better Government for Older People Movement, a non-party political organisation, and their immediate campaigns. However the NPC is aware of this organisation and regard it  more of a duplication of NPC role,  where the pensioner movement is concerned.